Human Resources Business Partner

Location: Waltham, MA

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, On-Site

Department: People Operations

Reports To: Chief People Officer

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Human Resources Business Partner to support our growing organization and multi-state workforce. This role is primarily focused on employee relations , while also overseeing benefits administration, new hire onboarding and orientation, employee engagement and culture initiatives, and day-to-day HR administration.

The ideal candidate is an approachable, solutions-oriented HR professional who thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-turnover environment . This individual will work closely with employees and leaders at all levels to address workplace concerns, reinforce company policies and expectations, support a positive culture, and ensure consistent and fair HR practices across the organization.

This is a highly visible, five-day-per-week, in-office position . The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys being accessible to employees, building relationships, and working collaboratively with operational leaders in a service-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary HR resource for employee relations matters across the organization.
• Partner with managers and leaders to address employee concerns, performance issues, attendance, conduct, workplace conflicts, and other employee relations matters.
• Conduct and document employee relations investigations, ensuring issues are handled promptly, objectively, consistently, and confidentially.
• Provide guidance to location managers on coaching, corrective action, performance management, and policy interpretation.
• Assist with disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and employment separations.
• Identify recurring employee relations issues and recommend solutions to improve retention, engagement, and workplace effectiveness.
• Promote consistent application of company policies and practices across locations and departments.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and HR records related to employee relations matters.

Benefits Administration

• Support the administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other company-sponsored benefits.
• Serve as a resource for employees regarding benefit questions, eligibility, enrollment, and qualifying life events.
• Coordinate new hire benefit enrollment and annual open enrollment activities.
• Partner with benefit providers and internal leadership to resolve employee issues and ensure accurate administration.
• Assist with benefit communications and employee education.

New Hire Onboarding & Orientation

• Manage and coordinate the new hire onboarding process to provide a welcoming and consistent employee experience.
• Conduct or coordinate new employee orientation and ensure employees understand company policies, procedures, benefits, culture, and expectations.
• Ensure required employment documentation and onboarding activities are completed accurately and timely.
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure new employees are prepared for a successful start.
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve the onboarding experience.

Culture & Employee Engagement

• Support the development and execution of programs designed to strengthen company culture, employee engagement, recognition, and retention.
• Help reinforce company values, service standards, and workplace expectations.
• Develop and support employee communication initiatives, recognition programs, employee events, and other culture-building activities.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the organization and develop strong relationships with employees at all levels.
• Gather employee feedback and identify opportunities to improve the overall employee experience.

HR Administration & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR documentation.
• Support employment changes, transfers, promotions, leaves, and terminations.
• Assist with leave administration and provide appropriate guidance to employees and managers.
• Support compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws and company policies.
• Maintain required HR reports, records, and documentation.
• Support audits and other HR compliance activities as needed.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and communication of HR policies and procedures.
• Utilize the company's HRIS to maintain employee information and complete HR transactions.

HRIS / UKG Ready

• Maintain accurate employee data and HR records within the HRIS.
• Utilize UKG Ready to support employee changes, onboarding, reporting, benefits, time-off administration, and other HR processes.
• Generate HR reports and provide data to leadership as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and maximize the effectiveness of HR technology.

Partnership with Operations

• Build strong working relationships with operational leaders across the organization.
• Provide practical HR guidance that balances employee needs with business and operational requirements.
• Support leaders in managing a diverse, high-volume workforce.
• Help managers become more effective in employee communication, coaching, performance management, and employee retention.
• Travel periodically to operating locations, as needed, to support employees and leaders.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of HR experience , with significant experience in employee relations supporting a rapid growth, 800+ employee multi-site, multi-state organization.
• Demonstrated experience working in a high-volume, high-turnover industry such as food service, hospitality, healthcare, senior living, or other service-based environments.
• Strong experience handling employee relations issues, including investigations, performance management, attendance, workplace conflict, corrective action, and terminations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility and trust with employees and leaders at all levels.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR best practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR technology.
• Ability and willingness to work on-site five days per week .

Preferred

• Experience in a food service, contract dining, hospitality, healthcare, senior living, or other high-volume service environment .
• UKG Ready experience strongly preferred.
• Benefits administration experience.
• Experience supporting a multi-state workforce.
• Experience developing employee engagement, recognition, or culture programs.